While change is inevitable at Walt Disney World, there are some attractions whose fond farewells hurt more than others. This was certainly true of the Studio Backlot Tour, which was the premiere attraction when then-MGM Studios opened on May 1, 1989. The attraction closed permanently on September 27, 2014, to make way for Toy Story Land.
This was one of the most unique attractions in Disney World. It’s combination walking tour and ride made for a complete experience that took guests through the movie-making process. Both entertaining and educational, this attraction was full of memorable components that we miss to this day.
The Original
The original version of the Studio Backlot Tour, then called Backstage Studio Tour, was much longer. In fact, it was a whopping two hours long, and Disney had built in a break for guests half way through! In 1996 the attraction was renamed the Studio Backlot Tour, and by then much of the attraction had changed from its original concept.
The Harbor Attack Experience
The first major component of the Studio Backlot Tour most people will remember is the Harbor Attack show. Those lucky enough to have been selected as volunteers would act out a scene in a large show area while the other guests watched. The purposes of this portion of the attraction was to show guests how water tanks are utilized on film sets to create special effects. Where else in Disney World can you have this sort of unique experience nowadays!?
The Prop Warehouse
One of the remaining pieces of the walking portion of the Backlot Tour was the prop warehouse. This room, which brought guests out to the tram loading area, held countless props and costume pieces from films such as Who Framed Roger Rabbit, The Santa Clause, Honey, I Shrunk the Kids, and The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe.
The Boneyard
One of the lasting parts of the tram tour was a trip to the boneyard. This is a place where guests could see vehicles used in several films, including Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, and Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest. It was around this portion of the tram ride where guests would get a great view of the “Earful Tower”, the original icon of the park.
Catastrophe Canyon
Most guests will remember Catastrophe Canyon as the “grand finale” of the Studio Backlot Tour. In its original version, this would be near the conclusion of the first half of the attraction, with the walking tour taking up the second half. This ‘live’ movie set gave guests a glimpse into the special effects process when shooting a film. Effects included a rumbling earthquake that would shake the trams, a fuel truck explosion (complete with a fireball), and a flood of water rushing towards the trams. Once the sequence was over, the set would reset before the guests’ eyes, again lifting the veil on the movie making process.
What was YOUR favorite part of the Studio Backlot Tour? Let us know in the comments!
Get more from Disney's Hollywood Studios at the links below!
- Best Places to Avoid the Crowds in Disney’s Hollywood Studios
- 11 Fun Facts About Star Tours at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
- Our Top Picks for Quick Service Lunch and Dinner at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
- Be a Master of Disney’s Hollywood Studios with This Trio of Quizzes!
- Best Snacks By Land in Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Join the AllEars.net Newsletter to stay on top of ALL the breaking Disney News! You'll also get access to AllEars tips, reviews, trivia, and MORE! Click here to Subscribe!
I miss the backlot tour. My family and I always enjoyed it. I liked the prop room and was once chosen for The Harbor Attack Experience. It was a blast!!
We went the first year it was operating and it was wonderful. They did a little bank robbery scene while you were going by, you saw the home fronts with the open backs that they used to film, you went through wardrobe design and my whole family got to participate in the harbor attack. It took a long time but, it was great.
Once Disney made the decision to abandon the idea of a true working studio (both live action and animation) in Florida, a “behind the scene” tour ceased to make sense.
While I enjoyed the tour in its early days, several years later, during a trip to California, I did the Universal backlot tour. Now that was an authentic “behind the scenes” look with a rich history. Disney’s version,‘by comparison falls short.
how about ❤️ For the cast members who worked this attraction. My daughter did! The spiel was very long asked an accomplishment to learn. They brought the emotion and excitement to the different sets. It was such a fun experience
In my mind, I group this and the animation tour together as one. They are both a tremendous loss. For me, the biggest things missed are the Williams/Cronkite film (animation) and the Midler film (studio walking). They were informative and entertaining. I also liked seeing how the animation working area was set up and the film stage areas, even if there was nothing live happening. I would have loved the Studios to succeed as a working studio, but there is much historical and educational benefit that could have been preserved.